Barcelona's New Star Hamza Draws Comparisons with Haaland, Sparking Amusing Banter

2026-08-18

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s 18-year-old forward Hamza Abdulkarim has showcased a remarkable goal-scoring instinct in the first team, earning accolades from manager Hansi Flick. He netted two goals against Birmingham, underscoring his burgeoning potential.

Hamza has firmly established himself in Barcelona's first team, demonstrating sharp positioning and excellent link-up ability, perfectly aligning with Flick's requirements for a forward. His involvement on the pitch mirrors that of last season’s Robert Lewandowski, who averaged 8.6 passes per game, while Hamza recorded 8 and 9 passes respectively in matches against Basel and Birmingham.

In terms of touches, Hamza’s performance is equally impressive. Lewandowski averaged 19 touches per game, whereas Hamza had 9 touches in just 45 minutes against Basel and remarkably 24 touches in 62 minutes against Birmingham, indicating a higher level of engagement in play.

During his first training session at Barcelona, the coaching staff organized a shooting drill to assess his condition, and his performance was eye-catching, particularly his crosses and near-post shots that echoed the characteristics of a traditional number 9.

Other players present recalled, “We were all stunned when he scored with a header.” Noticing that Barcelona's forwards often drop deep to collect the ball, Hamza is learning to do the same. However, Pau Planas and the coaching staff have emphasized that he should only do this when absolutely necessary, particularly when it comes to passing. They want Hamza to spend more time in and around the penalty area.

To better help Hamza understand the team's tactics, Planas' coaching staff specifically showed him match footage of Erling Haaland and Ferran Jutglà, notably including clips of Samuel Eto'o to teach him when to exit his zone. In good spirits, his teammates have even playfully chanted “Haaland, Haaland” to the tune of his name, “Hamza, Hamza.”

This Wednesday, Hamza is set to make his debut at Camp Nou against his former club, Cairo National, in a highly anticipated match.